Bioinspired Precision Peeling of Ultrathin Bamboo Green Cellulose Frameworks for Light Management in Optoelectronics

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Bioinspired Precision Peeling of Ultrathin Bamboo Green Cellulose Frameworks for Light Management in Optoelectronics
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Bioinspired Precision Peeling of Ultrathin Bamboo Green Cellulose Frameworks for Light Management in Optoelectronics - Nano-Micro Letters

Cellulose frameworks have emerged as promising materials for light management due to their exceptional light-scattering capabilities and sustainable nature. Conventional biomass-derived cellulose frameworks face a fundamental trade-off between haze and transparency, coupled with impractical thicknesses (≥ 1 mm). Inspired by squid’s skin-peeling mechanism, this work develops a peroxyformic acid (HCOOOH)-enabled precision peeling strategy to isolate intact 10-µm-thick bamboo green (BG) frameworks—100 × thinner than wood-based counterparts while achieving an unprecedented optical performance (88% haze with 80% transparency). This performance surpasses delignified biomass (transparency < 40% at 1 mm) and matches engineered cellulose composites, yet requires no energy-intensive nanofibrillation. The preserved native cellulose I crystalline structure (64.76% crystallinity) and wax-coated uniaxial fibril alignment (Hermans factor: 0.23) contribute to high mechanical strength (903 MPa modulus) and broadband light scattering. As a light-management layer in polycrystalline silicon solar cells, the BG framework boosts photoelectric conversion efficiency by 0.41% absolute (18.74% → 19.15%), outperforming synthetic anti-reflective coatings. The work establishes a scalable, waste-to-wealth route for optical-grade cellulose materials in next-generation optoelectronics.

As demand grows for sustainable optical materials, conventional biomass films struggle with opacity and thickness trade-offs. Now, researchers from Central South University of Forestry and Technology, led by Prof. Yingfeng Zuo and Prof. Yiqiang Wu, have developed a bioinspired precision peeling strategy to isolate 10-μm-thick bamboo green frameworks with 88% haze and 80% transparency. This work offers a scalable route to eco-friendly light-management layers for optoelectronics.

Why Bamboo Green Matters

  • Ultrathin & Transparent: 100× thinner than wood-based films, achieving high transparency without nanofibrillation.
  • Light Scattering: Native cellulose alignment and wax-cellulose interfaces enable strong broadband haze.
  • Sustainable Source: Transforms industrial bamboo waste into high-value optical materials.

Innovative Design and Features

  • Squid-Inspired Peeling: Peroxyformic acid selectively disrupts parenchyma cell bonds, preserving cellulose structure.
  • Monolayer Architecture: Retains native cellulose I crystallinity (64.76%) and uniaxial fibril alignment (Hermans factor: 0.23).
  • Mechanical Robustness: 903 MPa modulus with anisotropic strength for durable integration.

Applications and Future Outlook

  • Solar Cell Enhancement: Boosts polycrystalline silicon PCE by 0.41% absolute (18.74% → 19.15%), outperforming synthetic coatings.
  • Scalable Production: 270 cm2framework per bamboo culm, compatible with standard wafer sizes.
  • Circular Economy: Low-energy peeling process aligns with green manufacturing and waste-to-wealth strategies.

This study demonstrates a biomimetic, low-cost pathway to high-performance cellulose optical films, bridging sustainability and functionality for next-generation photovoltaics and optoelectronics

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Bioinspired Materials
Physical Sciences > Materials Science > Soft Materials > Bioinspired Materials
Soft Materials
Physical Sciences > Materials Science > Soft Materials
Materials for Devices
Physical Sciences > Materials Science > Materials for Devices
Nanoscale Design, Synthesis and Processing
Physical Sciences > Materials Science > Nanotechnology > Nanoscale Design, Synthesis and Processing
  • Nano-Micro Letters Nano-Micro Letters

    Nano-Micro Letters is a peer-reviewed, international, interdisciplinary and open-access journal that focus on science, experiments, engineering, technologies and applications of nano- or microscale structure and system in physics, chemistry, biology, material science, and pharmacy.